I started my investigation into the principles of combining plants many years ago when first studying landscape design, as I was perplexed about why some of the customary beliefs about color associations produced such dull compositions. It was obvious that bloom color, form, leaf texture, and other plant attributes were enhanced by appropriate neighbors, but exactly which plants and why was a puzzle. Later, in teaching planting design, I worked with people just beginning to piece together the form, texture, colors, habit, and growth rate of the hundreds of plants common in design use. I decided to establish tools for these students' use that would allow them to choose and associate plants with confidence. Eventually I developed lists of pleasing associations of plants that flourish in similar conditions while integrating various factors, such as coincidental bloom time and harmony of color, texture, or form. In preparing these lists, I read a great deal, created many designs, and observed a great many growing combinations. Over many years I have employed all the general principles for combining plants that are presented in this book. As I created four-dimensional compositions with ephemeral effects constantly altered by weather, moisture variation, animal foraging, or human blight, it became clear that while theories about color, scale, and other design factors must be thoroughly understood, in itself this is not enough. Theoretical knowledge can only be usefully employed when adapted for each particular situation and refined by the experience, taste, and careful observations of the designer and gardener. Excerpted from The Harmonious Garden: Color, Form, and Texture by Catherine Ziegler All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
